Shelter to serve area residents forced from their homes by flood waters
Vermont Business Magazine The American Red Cross will open a third regional disaster shelter in Lyndonville at the Lyndonville Fire Department (316 Main St.) as dozens of area residents remain displaced by Wednesday’s storm. The shelter will open at 3 pm. This shelter is managed by the Red Cross – and pets are welcome. Pet owners should bring their own animal crate, supplies, medications and food whenever possible.
The Red Cross shelter at the Barre City Auditorium (16 Auditorium Hill) remains open and supported an overnight population of nine people. This shelter is also pet-friendly. The Red Cross shelter in St. Johnsbury closed Friday at noon after serving one overnight resident.
Individuals evacuating to a Red Cross shelter should bring essential items for each member of their family, including:
- Prescription and emergency medications
- Foods that meet special dietary requirements
- Extra clothing, pillows, blankets, hygiene supplies and other comfort items
- Chargers for any electronic devices
- Books, games and other forms of entertainment
Today our Red Cross mobile feeding teams delivered meals to Plainfield as well as to our shelters in Barre and Lyndonville. Additionally, teams brought Red Cross clean-up kits to Hardwick and Johnson. In the coming days, our teams will continue to reach additional communities to distribute emergency relief supplies and conduct preliminary damage assessments. We continue to work in close collaboration with local and state partners as well as emergency management officials.
We encourage anyone impacted by this storm who needs assistance to call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767). For additional help or to report damage, Vermonters should dial 211.
Flooding safety Flood watches remain in effect for parts of Vermont. The Red Cross wants to remind Vermonters: “Turn around, don’t drown.”
- Never walk, swim, or drive through floodwater. Just six inches of fast-moving floodwater can knock you over – and 12 inches can carry your vehicle away.
- Despite rising temperatures over the weekend, avoid waterways. Waterways are not safe after a storm. Currents are strong and could be contaminated with pollutants and flood debris.
Clean-up safety Many injuries happen during clean-up. Wear protective equipment, like boots, long pants, work gloves, eyewear, and an N95 respirator to protect your lungs. Follow the advice of local public health officials.
- If you evacuated, wait for officials to say it is safe before going home.
- Avoid fallen power lines, poles and wires. They can electrocute you.
- If power lines are down outside your home, do not step in puddles or standing water. Report downed lines to the power company immediately.
- If any gas or electrical appliances were flooded, don’t use them until they have been checked for safety.
- Do not use water that could be contaminated to wash dishes, brush teeth, prepare food, wash hands, make ice or make baby formula.
- Dispose of any food that has come into contact with flood water.
- Watch out for falling trees and other debris.
- If you are experiencing a power outage, use flashlights or battery-powered lanterns, rather than candles, to reduce fire risk.
All Red Cross assistance is provided free of charge and made possible by the generosity of the public. To donate to Red Cross Disaster Relief and help people affected by disasters big and small, visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS. To become a Red Cross volunteer visit www.redcross.org/volunteer.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRoja
LYNDONVILLE, Vt., JULY 12, 2024 — The American Red Cross
To support vital and unmatched journalism, access our archives and get unique features like our award-winning profiles, Book of Lists & Business-to-Business Directory, subscribe HERE!
